Tom Paine
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Newtown-based
Garfield Group, one of most established business to business, tech-oriented marketing communications agencies in the mid-Atlantic region,
announced in late March changes to its brand and business, and the addition of new talent and disciplines.
Clearly indicating a broader emphasis than traditional public relations, Garfield says it "now functions as a united team — branding, public relations and digital — leveraging integrated talent and insights to optimize programs across all online and offline channels." It will use a new single "G" brand symbol, distinct enough so it won't be at risk of being confused with that of Gatorade's.
Two key additions to the team are intended to help implement this new direction. Garfield has recently added Matt Pfluger (formerly of G2) as vice president, digital strategy and Bryon Lomas (formerly of Red Tettemer O’Connell + Partners) as vice president, creative director. The firm also elevated Steve Clark to vice president, director of account services and Amy Valli to vice president, director of public relations.
Although Garfield has represented many of the more prestigious, innovative tech firms that have grown up in the Philly area (and some beyond) since its founding in 1990, President and founder Larry Garfield said in a phone interview with me that he wanted to broaden the firm's regional footprint, get closer to the area's startup scene, and increase its content, digital and video production capabilities.
Current clients include tax software giant Vertex, Opportunity Finance Network, Lotame, rapidly growing healthcare navigation firm Accolade, IMS Health, FreedomPay and online medical supplies firm Burmans.
Last September, Gretchen Roede, who had headed Garfield's public relations wing,
left to form a new firm, Broadpath Strategic Communications, and a few Garfield people (and some clients) followed. Roede had been at Garfield for 15 years. The reasons for the split are not clear, but both Garfield and Roede suggested the two wanted to pursue slightly different paths. “I’m really interested in putting together a firm that I think fits with the needs of today’s technology companies, and certainly being able to do it on my own terms is important as well,” Roede told the Philadelphia Business Journal at the time her new firm was announced.
Garfield, a South Jersey native, Phillies fan and Wharton grad, worked at other agencies
before starting his own in 1990.
